Need Suggestions

[Digger22]

I'm still trying to learn my 10 year old Explorer II, I've given up on it so many times I guess it feels like a stepchild

I recently bought Andy Sabischs book, and while its a big help, I am now realizeing I need to store my other machines and get serious with my Exp in a test garden.

I don't feel the machine does well in air test, but I don't know if this is an indication of a problem. I believe the problem is with the fellow (me) holding on to the detector.
I've hunted with it mostly in digital mode, deep on, sens at max/auto.
I'll probably start out using Iron Mask in my test garden, so any suggestions (even a better starting point) will be appreciated.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Heck hunt in the factory preset and raise the sens. a tad and you are good to go...powerful setup with the press of a pad...once you get the hang of it can always experiment...Always remember my first hunt with an Explorer XS...factory preset with sens. raised and threshold to my liking. Hunted an old grove pounded to death for years with various detectors...8 Wheaties, 1 buffalo nickel and a merc and walking half ought to tell you something....

 

[Digger22]

Thanks Dan, thats how I started with it, I guess I just didn't give myself enough time with the machine.

 

[Trashpicker]

I have been using an Explorer since they came out. it was the very first detector I ever owned, held or used. When I got it it was overwelming, but I stayed with it and now I own 4 including my latest SE Pro. I recommend not changing any of the factory settings for a couple of months. the reason is because if you dont know what the detector is telling you to start with, how do you know what the changes effected and how the detector is reacting to the changes. I also recommend using the non digital screen, in the Smartscreen mode, all settings on factory default. the only thing I would change is the to set the threshold level down to just barely audiable. dont mess with anything else. now go to a park or school yard and watch the cursor and listen to the signals. dig all targets and note where the cursor appears on the screen and how deep the target is when dug. once you get good at this, then start messing with the settings and you will then be able to tell what the machine is doing and how the setting changes have effected the performance of the machine. I only hunt old dumps and ghost towns and very seldom change from the factory settings with the exception of the Iron mask.
Good luck and dont give up. lock your other detectors in the closet and only use the Minelab. at some point you will find the other detectors are not needed and the more you use the minelab, the better and more comfortable you will become with it.
Happy hunting and good luck
Later, Trashpicker

 

[Digger22]

Thanks Trashpicker, The explorer has one heck of a steep learning curve

Roy

 

[dirt doctor]

Thanks Trashpicker, The explorer has one heck of a steep learning curve

Roy

Don't look at it that way Roy . Look at it as enjoyable learning .The more you use it , the more your knowledge of it compounds at a greater rate.

 

[Digger22]

Thanks Trashpicker, The explorer has one heck of a steep learning curve

Roy

Don't look at it that way Roy . Look at it as enjoyable learning .The more you use it , the more your knowledge of it compounds at a greater rate.

I guess it would be an enjoyable experience, IF there was a manual entitled "How to use the Minelab Explorer". I have Andys book and the Explorer II user's manual. There is a lot of information in both books. Some of the information in these books are assuming that you already know the information. A good for instance is Sensitivity control. The manual tells that the bar indicates how responsive the detector is to a target (blah blah). What it doesn't say is how it can increase depth and, the problems that can arise in using auto sensitivity. It is hard to for me to learn anything well without adequate information.
Thanks to the members here and the Explorer Classroom Forum, I am trying to piece together information on "How to use the Minelab Explorer II", for my own use as I am sure everone else already know how to use theirs
.
Also a big thank you to the member that has been messaging me with great suggestions, and to the members that have replied to this thread.
If there were adequate information (not scanty and piecemeal) for the CTX3030 were available, I would buy one.
I am not going to waste my $$$ on another machine (no matter how good it is) which will lead to more frustration.

I would think Minelab does not need a book that has all the info on how to use to use the 3030, after all they know how to use it, and the rest of us can figure it out. (some can, I need help).
Yes I am frustrated, frustrated that some one can make such great detectors and not have the foresight to make a decent instruction book. I've got a couple of grand in my exp 2, so another hundred or so for adequate information wouldn't bother me in the least IF it would explain how to use the machine.
Roy

 

[dewcon4414]

I find the Explorer to be a very forgiving machine..... if you get chatter its telling you something. But right out of the box in factory settings i even does a good job. The BEST test garden is in the field where you hunt. A test garden to me is used only to compare machines because you cant duplicate areas you hunt. Like you already know...... you have to put in the time, once and a while isnt going to cut it with this machine. Also realize ..... the Explorer has a lot of potential.... that you can use, but dont need to use. Set it up.... hunt with it until you get your best settings out there. Then you rarely play with them. Get away from that digital screen..... watch the smartscreen and listen to the tones.... thats the learning curve.

Dew

 

[michael NY]

Digger, follow Andy's Book and use the basic set up keep things simple. I would try using the auto sensitivity and use the noise cancel button. Swing the machine slow, listen to the tones then see where the appear on the screen. Make a test garden use a silver quarter, dime, nickel. HH


MICHAEL